Harness-bridle.



Patented Sept. 23, 1913.-

2 SHEETS-8HEET 1.

rllllllllll llll COLUMBIA PLANDGRAMI co.,w.\snmar0N.'D. c.

G. L. FORMAN.

HARNESS BRIDLB.

APPLICATION FILED JULYZB, 1911.

Patented Sept. 23, 1913.

2 sums-seem 2.

814 ue/vvto'z brain GEORGE L. FORMAN, or LOUISVILLE, KENTUGKY.

HARNESS-BRIDLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 28, 1911.

Patented Sept. as, 1 arts.

Serial No. 641,089;

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, Gnonon L. Forums, a citizen of the United States, residing at Louisville, in the county of Jefferson and State of Kentucky, have invented new and useful Improvements in l'larness-Bridles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in harness bridles having over-checks, and to the crown piece thereof, and has for its important object the provision of novel means whereby the overcheck is connected to the crown piece in a manner which will permit the over-check to be conveniently removed and replaced, or changed.

Another of the important objects of the invention is to provide a harness bridle having an ovcrcheck, of inexpensive construc tion and finished appearance, and wherein the guide passages for the overcheck are substantially within the crown piece and are of such nature as to permit the ovcrcheck to be readily detached and removed and replaced.

To the ends stated the invention consists: first, in a crown piece for a harness bridle having channels for the limbs of an overcheck and a passage between said channels adapted to permit the over-check to be inserted or drawn through the crown piece, in detaching the overcheck from and connecting the overchcck to the same second, in a crown piece for a harness bridle having a passage adapted to permit the overcheck to be inserted or drawn through the crown piece and separated channels for the limbs of the overcheclt, arranged at the ends oi said passage, together with a throat latch which is formed and arranged to hold the limbs of the overchecl: from moving acci dentally from their respective channels and into said passage.

The invention further consists in novel features in the construction and arrangement of parts and in novel combinations of elements substantially as hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the subjoincd claims.

In the accompanying drawings, I have exemplified the invention in its most dosirable -torm. Details of the illustrated embodiment are very advantageous and for this reason claims have been made expressive of the detail en'ibodimcnt; but it is to be understood that the invention is not restricted to such detail embodiment and con tains matter of broad novelty which may be embodied in forms other than the one herein particularly illustrated, without depart- 111g from the spirit oi the invention or the scope of the subjoincd claims.

In the drawings, wherein like characters of reference denote like parts in the several views: liigure 1. is a side elevation of a harness bridle which includes the present improvements. Fig. 2 is a front view of the same. Fig. 3 is a plan view thereof. Fig. l is a detail perspective view of the crown piece, a part of the limbs of the overcheclt and a part of the strap which prevents said limbs from moving accidentally from the channels provided therefor, showing parts broken away to disclose other parts which otherwise would be concealed thereby. liig. 5 is a detail representation of the crown piece showing the layers thereof in approximately the relative positions they assume at the center oi. the crown piece when an overchcck is being inserted or removed.

Referring now to the illustrated embodiment oi the invention and describing the same with particularity without intending thereby to restrict the invention to the dctails thereof: it) and 11. designate the check pieces, 12 the brow band, ll-5 and 1+1: the winkers, and 1:") the winkcr brace of a barness bridle. These parts may be of the usual, or of any suitable construction. The winker brace 15 herein shown is of the style patented to me Feb. 2), 1909, Nuulber )ll,)($(' and is connected to the brow band '12 by a loop 1(3, in the manner and for the purpose disclosed and claimed in my application for U. S. patent lilcd Feb. 10, 1910, Serial No. 543,175; these parts being prolerrcd for use with but are not essential to the parts which constitute the present invention, and which will now be described.

A designates the crown piece, ll the overcheck and C the throat latch. The crown piece is formed oi an under layer 17 and an upper layer 18 with intermediate fillers 1S) and 20 at the ends thereof. The ends of the upper and under layers and the interposed tillers are suitably secured together, preferably by lines of stitches 2t and 22 extending longitudinally thereof. The con- :tronting ends of the fillers '19 and 90 are spaced apart at the longitudinal center of the crown piece, suilicicntly to provide at of the crown piece are not stitched together,

or otherwise permanently secured together at said space. This space 23 is partly occupied by a spacer 26 which is secured to one of; said layers and which lies between the limbs 2i and 25 of the overcheck. The correlation of the ends of the spacer to the adjacent ends of the fillers and to the upper and under layers of the crown piece is such that channels 2'? and 28 (see Fig. 5) are provided at the ends of and communicating with the space 23. The limbs 24: and 25 eX- tend through these channels and are held properly spread apart by said spacer 26.

A strap 29 is arranged in a suitable holding relation to the limbs 24- and 25, to prevent said limbs from movement out of their respective channels. This strap is movable to free said limbs when it is desired to remove the overcheck. It is formed as a part of the throat latch C, the latter being made of suliicient length to extend under. the throat of the animal and over the limbs 2% and 25 of the overcheck. It passes through loops 30 at the ends of the brow band The crown piece has a loop 31 through which the strap 29 also extends. This loop 31 is formed integral with the spacer 26, the lat ter being a piece of leather of suitable length and width, doubled upon itself at or about its longitudinal center and having its ends superimposed and stitched or otherwise suitably secured to each other and to the underlayer 17 of thecrown piece. The upper layer 18 is so mounted on the underlayer 17 of the crown piece as to cover a part only of the width of the latter, and the strap 29 extends along the remaining portion of the crown piece, alongside the upper layer.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the underlayer 17 of the crown piece is broader than the upper layer 18 to provide space on the former for the strap 29, and said upper layer and the fillers 19 and 20 are integral with each other, being formed of a strap whose ends are bent back to provide underlying portions which form said fillers. The stitches 21 and 22 do not extend to the ends of the upper layer and hence loops 32 and 88 are provided at the ends of the upper layer adapted to receive rings 3 t'and 35, or other appropriate elements by which the crown piece may be attached to the check straps 10 and 11.

It will be apparent that, when the ends of the overcheck are properly attached to the bridle bit and harness saddle, with its limbs 24 and 25 arranged in the channels 27 and 28 of the crown piece, theovercheckis free to move through the crown piece a discheck, it being only necessary in removing the evercheck to detach one end of the latter (the end attached to the harness bridle, for example) open the throat latch and raise or remove the strap 29 from engagement with the limbs 24 and 25 and then pull. the overcheck until it is disengaged from the crown piece, the space 23 being, as already stated, 7

adapted to permit the end of the overcheck to pass therethrough. The same overcheck, or another one, may with equal facility be applied, by inserting its end through the space 23 in the crown piece. noted that the particular embodiment of the invention, herein disclosed, may be ineX- pensively produced, enables the manufacturer to use smaller pieces of stock than is practicable in the construction of brid'les now on the market, presents a finished ap pearance and eliminates the necessity of using any metal parts for securing the overcheck, either upon the exterior of the crown piece or between the layers thereof, and that the operation of securing the throat latch similarly binds the ov-ercheck against the crown piece. It will be understood that while reference has herein been made tothe factthat a. space 23 is formed between the surface of the spacer 26 and the upper layer 18, said upperlayer in the normal use of the bridle may, and in fact, preferably does, rest upon the spacer, as shown in Fig. 4;, in which case its flexibility, or the flexibility of the upper layer, or of both layers, permits a relative yielding of said layers to the pressure exerted thereon by the end of the overcheck in the operation of pushing or pulling said end through the crown piece.

It will be noted that the present invention enables one to change an overcheck bridle into a side check bridle without the services of a harness maker by simply looping swivels or gag runners into the ring or D 34: and 35.

It is believed that the purposes and advantages of the invention, both in'respect of its broad features. and of the particular detail embodiment herein illustrated, will be fully comprehended. from the foregoing.

Having now described the inventionwhat I believe to be new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. Ina harness bridle, a crown piece cont prising upper and: lower layers and a spacer between said layers, correlated to provide within the interior of the crown piece separated transversely-extending channels, for the limbs of an overcheck, saidchannels having communication with each other through It will be a space which extends from one channel to the other and is arranged between the spacer and. one of the layers, the spacer being socured to one of the layers only and the layers being connected to each other at opposite ends of the spacer, at places which are spaced from the ends of the latter.

In a harness bridle, a crown piece comprising upper and lower layers, tillers arranged at the ends of the crown piece, between said layers, and a spacer arranged between said layers with its ends spaced from the ends of the fillers, the fillers being secured to both of the layers and the spacer being secured to one of the layers only, whereby channels between the ends of the fillers and spacer and a space extending from one channel to the other are formed between said layers, said channels being adapted to receive the limbs of an overcheck and said space being adapted to permit the overcheck to pass therethrough.

3. In a harness bridle, a crown piece comprising upper and lower layers, fillers arranged at the ends of the crown piece, between said layers, and a spacer arranged between said tillers with its ends spaced from the ends thereof, the tiller being secured to both layers and the spacer being secured to one of the layers only, whereby channels are provided between the ends of the fillers and spacer and a space is provided between the surface of the spacer and one of the layers, said space extending from one channel to the other, the channels beirtg adapted to receive the limbs of an over-check and the space being adapted to permit the over-check to pass through the crown piece, combined with a means for preventing the over-check from accidentally passing from said space.

l. In a harness bridle, a crown piece comprising a layer having a spacer secured to it between its ends, a second layer mounted upon the first layer and extending over said spacer, said second layer having reverted ends disposed between it and the first layer and being secured to the latter by fastening means extending through said ends, said reverted ends forming fillers and ternlinating in a spaced relation with the ends ot the spacer whereby channels are provided between the ends of the fillers and spacer and a space is provided between the surface of the spacer and the second layer, said space extending from one channel to the other, the channels being adapted to receive the limbs of an overcheck and the space being adapted to permit the overcheek to pass through the crown piece, combined with a means for preventing the overchech from accidentally passing from said channels to said space.

5. In a harness bridle, a crown piece having layers and a spacer relatively arranged and secured to form within the crown piece,

between said layers, separated channels for the limbs of an over-check and a space between said channels adapted to permit the overcheck to pass through the crown piece, combined with a strap which extends across said limbs and prevents accidental movement of the same into said space.

(3. In a harness bridle, a crown piece, comprising upper and lower layers, tillers arranged at the ends of the crown piece, between said layers, and a spacer arranged between said .tillers with its ends spaced from the latter, the parts being so correlated that channels are movided between the ends of the tiller and spacer and a space is provided from one channel to the other, said channels being adapted to receive the limbs of an overcheck and said space being adapt ed to permit the over-check to pass through the crown piece, said crown piece also having a loop, combined with a strap which extends through said loop, in a holding relation to the limbs of the overcheclr.

7. Tu a harness bridle, a crown piece, comprising upper and lower layers, fillers an ranged at the ends of the crown piece, between said layers, and a spacer arranged between said fillers with its ends spaced trom the latter, said spacer being secured to one of the layers only, whereby a space is provided between it and the other layer adapted to permit an overcheck to pass therethrough and channels are provided be tween its ends and the ends of the spacer tor the limbs of said overchcclr, said space extending from one channel to the other, said spacer being also :torn'ied with a loop, combined with an overcheck having limbs adapted to said channels and an end adapted to pass through said space, and a strap extending through said loop and serving to hold the limbs of: the overcheclc in the chan- 'nels.

8. In a harness bridle, a crown piece having separated internal passages for the limbs of an over-check and a space between said channels adapted to permit the overcheck to pass through the crown piece, combined with a threat latch having a part which extends across said limbs and prevents accidental movement of the same into said space.

S). In a ha rness bridle, a crown piece, comprising upper and lower layers, fillers arranged at the ends ol the crown piece, between said layers, and a spacer arranged between said tillers with its ends spaced from the latter, the parts being so correlated that channels are provided between the ends of the filler and spacer and a space is provided from one channel to the other, said channels being adapted to receive the limbs of an overcheck and said space being adapted to permit the overcheck to pass through the crown piece, said crown piece also having a loop, combined with a throat latch which extends through said loop in a holding relation to the limbs of the overcheck.

10. In a harness bridle, a crown piece comprising upper and lower layers and means whereby channels extending transversely of the crown and a space connecting the channels with each other are formed be tween said layers, the crown piece also having a loop, combined with an overcheck having limbs adapted to said channels, and a strap extending through said loop in a holding relation with the limbs of the overcheck, the space between said channels being adapted to permit the end of the overcheck to passtherethrough when the limbs are released. from theholding efiect of said strap.

11. In a harness bridle, a crown piece comprising upper and lower layers and means whereby channels extending transversely of the crown and a space connecting the channels with each other are formed between said layers, the crown piece also having aloop, combined with an overcheck having limbs adapted to said channels, a throat latch having a part which extends through said loop and occupies a holding relation with the limbs of the overcheck, the space between said channels being adapted to permit the end of the overcheck to pass therethrough when the limbs are released from the holding efiect of said strap.

' 12. 111 a harness-bridle, a crown piece comprising upper and lower layers, the upper layer being narrower than the lower layer and having reverted ends which are spaced apart, the bends of said upper layer forming loops adapted to receive means for connecting the crown piece to the cheek straps of the bridle, a spacer arranged be-- tween said'reverted ends with its ends spaced from the extremities of the latter,

said spacer being secured to one of said layers only, and a strap arranged upon the lower layer and beside said upper layer.

13.1n a harness bridle, a crown piece comprising upper and lower layers, the upper layer being narrower than the lower layer and having reverted ends which are spaced apart,the bends of said upper layer forming loops adapted to receive means for connecting the crown piece to the cheek straps of the bridle, a spacer arranged between said reverted ends With its ends spaced from the extremities of the latter, said spacer being secured to one of said layers only, combined with an overcheck having limbs which extend through the channels between the ends or" the spacer and the ex- Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cent Washington, I). G.

tremities of the reverted ends of the upper layer, the end of the overcheck being adapted to pass between the surface of the spacer and the layer to which the latter is not secured, and a throat latch having a portion the upper layer, and in a holding relation to the limbs of the overcheck. 7

1a. In a harness bridle, a crown piece having means whereby it is formed with internal channels for the limbs of an overcheck and a space to permit the end of the the means forming said channels and space including a spacer which is arranged to lie between the limbs of the overcheck and is formed of a reverted strap having a loop at one end, said loop being arranged to receive a strap for confiningthe limbs of the overcheck to said channels. a

15. In a harness bridle, a crown piece having means whereby it is formed with internal channels for the limbs of an overcheck and a space to permit the end of the OVQlCl'ltlClI to pass through the crown piece,

including a spacer which is arranged to lie between the limbs of the overcheck and is formed of a reverted strap having a loop at oneend combined. with said overcheck and a throat latch having a part which extends through saidloop and in a holding relation to said limbs. a I y a 16. In a harness bridle, a crown piece comprising alower layer, an upper layer narrower than the lower layer, extending longitudinally of the latter and having reverted ends forming loops'and fillers, a spacer secured to the lower layer only, and arranged'between and with its ends in a spaced relation to the extremitiesofthe reverted ends of the upperlayer, said spacer, being composed of a strap bent upon itself to form a loop beyond the upper layer, combined with check straps, means for connecting the loops of the upper layer to the cheek straps, an overcheck having limbs which extend'through the channels between the ends of the spacer and the extremities of the relower layer, beside the upper layer and through the loop of thespacer, V

Intestimony whereof I have hereunto set CHAS. FITZGERALD,

RAY MOGRATH.

s each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

which extends over the lower layer, beside verted ends of the upper layer, and a throat latch having a part whlch extends over the overcheck to pass through the crown piece, 7

the means tormingsaid channelsand space 

